Celebrate Mom with These Specials
This Sunday, May 8, is Mother’s Day, and according to OpenTable, the online reservation system, it is also the most popular day to dine out for brunch, so you better make your reservations today.
OpenTable recently listed its 100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America based on 5 million restaurant reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners of more than 20,000 restaurants in all 50 states and D.C. between April 1, 2015 and Mar. 31 of this year. There were several representatives from the DMV on that list. (The good people at OpenTable, not wanting to upset any of their clients, only listed the results alphabetically and not by ranking.) Area restaurants making the list were Farmers Fishers Bakers, Georgia Brown’s, Le Diplomate and Tabard Inn in the District; The Liberty Tavern in Arlington; Clyde’s of Chevy Chase; Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm in Ashburn; Founding Farmers in D.C., Potomac and Tysons Corner; Tower Oaks Lodge in Rockville; Iron Rooster in Annapolis; and City Café, Gertrude’s, Rusty Scupper and Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore.
“Brunch is a delicious way to savor the day on Mother’s Day or any weekend,” said OpenTable chief dining officer Caroline Potter in a press release.
Many area restaurants are offering brunch or other dining specials this Mother’s Day including:
1789 Restaurant, 1226 36th St NW, is serving an a la carte brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and an a la carte dinner from 5:30-10 p.m. During brunch, the first and main courses are included in the main course price, which ranges from $28-$51. Dishes include spring asparagus salad with Meyer lemon confit, parmigiano-reggiano and smoked egg vinaigrette; sunchoke velouté with chorizo vinaigrette and mizuna; and duck strudel, duck confit with fruit puree, duck chicharrón, spring onions and cucumber. Entrées include quiche with leeks, gruyere and bacon, served with a mixed spring greens salad; shrimp and grits with white grits, fried green tomatoes and roasted Gulf shrimp; Shenandoah Valley beef tenderloin with mille-feuille potatoes, onion confit and sunny side-up eggs; pain perdu with whipped cream, rhubarb compote and maple syrup, and maple glazed ham with pearl onion confit, glazed carrots, pea puree and mâche. Dessert selections include hummingbird cake with brûléed banana, vanilla pudding, compressed pineapple and dark rum-toffee sauce served with banana ice cream; chocolate espresso tart, a bittersweet flourless cake with chocolate croquant, salted caramel espuma and toasted hazelnuts served with gianduja ice cream; and Key Lime soufflé cake with toasted coconut puff, honey graham crackers, key lime custard and white chocolate, served with coconut sherbet.
701 Restaurant, 701 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, will treat Mom to a special prix fix, three-course brunch complete with live jazz and outdoor seating overlooking the Navy Memorial fountains for $48 per person and $24 for children 12 and younger. Dishes include beets with labne, green apple and pomegranate vinaigrette; tuna tartar with sushi rice ice cream, ponzu and pickled ginger; eggs Benedict, served on an English muffin with prosciutto and ramp hollandaise; a lobster omelette with sauce choron and breakfast potatoes; and striped bass with artichokes, sea beans and oyster emulsion. Dessert choices include red velvet macaroons; canelé with chocolate sauce and toasted coconut; carrot cake bread pudding with carrot crémeux and praline ice cream; and elderflower parfait with rhubarb, coconut and almond streusel.
Alphonse Italian Market and Osteria. 1212 U St. NW, is celebrating Mother’s Day with a selection of cheese-filled torta rusticas and bottomless mimosas for $22 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Torta rusticas are traditional Italian quiche-like pies filled with eggs, cheese, vegetables and sausages or cured meats. The restaurant will be offering two options: a sausage torta rustica with house-made sausage, peppers and fontina cheese and a vegetable torta rustica, with fresh spinach, mushrooms and goat cheese.
Ardeo+Bardeo, 3311 Connecticut Ave. NW, is serving a three-course brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for $45 per person and $19 for children 10 and young with sparkling wine and mimosas for an additional $5 each and Bloody Marys for $6 each. Dishes include spring pea soup with pancetta and crème fraîche; roasted heirloom baby carrots with feta cheese, toasted breadcrumbs and Banyuls vinaigrette; eggs Norwegian with house-cured salmon, spinach and Old Bay hollandaise; garden pasta with garlic-chive pesto, mushroom conserva, peas, poached egg and pecorino; lamb chops with marbled potatoes, ramps and spring vegetables; and shrimp and grits with cheddar grits and crispy shallots. Dessert options include brown butter cake with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream; vanilla crème brûlée with mixed berries; and the chocolate pistachio torte with salted caramel and milk chocolate glaze.
Bayou Bakery, 901 Pennsylvania Ave. SE and 1515 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington, is baking heart shaped red velvet cakes with white chocolate cream cheese frosting. A portion of the proceeds go to Martha’s Table.
Bibiana Osteria-Enoteca, 1100 New York Ave. NW, is offering a $48 three-course, prix fixe menu from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dishes include frittelle, crispy prosciutto and ricotta fritters with salsa verde and pickled watermelon rind; fiori di zucca, spring pea and ricotta stuffed squash blossoms with shaved baby fennel and pea shoots; moleche tonnato, crispy polenta dusted soft shell crab with farm spring greens salad and tonnato sauce; agnello, grilled Colorado lamb porterhouse, graffiti eggplant and asparagus terrine and lemon thyme butter; and cappellacci di ortiche, stinging nettle and cacao de roma ravioli with sour orange and herb butter. Dessert options include chocolate bonnet custard with sheep’s milk ricotta fritter, TCHO chocolate sauce and gelato; and saffron panna cotta with poached apricots, dacqouise and raspberry gelee.
Bombay Club, 815 Connecticut Ave. NW, is preparing a three-course, prix fixe menu from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for $30 per person or $45 with unlimited Champagne. Diners can choose from appetizers such as crispy kale chat with date-tamarind chutney; chicken tikka chat with yoghurt and mint-cilantro chutney; Bombay sev puri with crisp puri, avocado, mango, onion and chutneys; aloo tuk with roasted potato, sweet potato, mint and date-tamarind; dahi keema samosa with lamb, yogurt and chutneys; or bhalla papdi chat with lentil dumplings, crisp puri, yoghurt and spices. Entrées on the buffet include chicken tikka lababdar with onion, tomato and fenugreek; lamb kundan kaliya with onion, yogurt, almond and saffron; shrimp chettinad with coconut, onion, curry leaves and star anise; paneer palak with spinach, cheese and garlic; aloo pudina kali mirch with potato, black pepper, mint and tamarind; mushroom matar corn with onion, yogurt, cashew nut and cardamom; and chana masala with chickpeas, ginger and pomegranate seeds. To end the meal, there is a dessert sampler of date and chocolate toffee pudding with jaggery anglaise; berry shrikhand with wild berries, yogurt and cardamom, and mango sorbet.
Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons Hotel, 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is serving a three-course brunch from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. for $95 for adults and $50 for children ages 6-12. Appetizer choices include chilled cantaloupe melon gazpacho with Iberico ham, tarragon and compressed cucumber; asparagus salad, and spring bouillabaisse with ramps, stone crab, uni, Blue Hill Bay mussels and rouille. Entrée choices include pain perdue “French toast” with rose petal jelly and strawberry compote, savory breakfast sausage and Noble Tonic maple syrup; Michael’s lobster pot pie with brandied lobster cream, root vegetables and wild mushrooms; black garlic BBQ lam with grits, radish ad apricot preserve; and Maryland blue crab eggs Benedict. Desserts include strawberry pistachio sundae with crème fraiche cake, pistachio cremeux and yuzu meringues; Bourbon chocolate bar with caramelized chocolate mousse and peanut butter powder; key lime “pie” with key lime panna cotta, graham streusel and tropical sorbet; and Cherry Glen goat cheese with pickled rhubarb, Acacia honey toast, almonds and Path Valley greens.
Brasserie Beck, 1101 K St. NW, has some special brunch additions. Perfect for mom and the whole family, choices span from a blackberry, ricotta and lemon blintz served warm with balsamic and port macerated blackberries to a wild mushroom “toad in the hole” on griddled brioche. Kids 12 and younger can enjoy entrées for half price.
Central, 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, is serving a three-course prix fixe brunch for $45 along with bottomless Bloody Marys, mimosa and bellinis for $15 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. First course elections include pancakes with strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate sauce; smoked salmon quiche with watercress; and beet carpaccio with grapefruit, avocado and passion fruit dressing. Second course choices include crab cake Benedict with roasted potatoes; filet mignon with asparagus, a fried egg and hollandaise sauce; duck leg confit with roasted potatoes, mixed greens and peppercorn sauce; and pan-seared salmon with fennel, zucchini and ginger dressing. Desserts include chocolate lava cake, rhubarb cheesecake, Lemon Eggceptional, raspberry pistachio tart and petit fours. The restaurant will also be open special holiday hours from 5-9:30 p.m. for a la carte dining.
Le Diplomate, 1601 14th St. NW, will help you shower Mom with sweets, flowers and love with a free bouquet of three pink, purple and yellow macarons flavored with floral rose, herbaceous lavender and lemon.
Moms will eat for free during dinner service at all five of Richard Sandoval’s area restaurants including El Centro D.F., 1819 14th St. NW and 1218 Wisconsin Ave. NW; La Sandia, 7852L Tysons Corner Center; Masa 14, 1825 14th St. NW; Toro Toro, 1300 I St. NW; and Zengo, 781 Seventh St. NW. The offer does not include appetizers or shared plates and is available with the purchase of another large plate or entrée. All the restaurants are also serving their regular bottomless Sunday brunch.
Et Voila!, 5120 MacArthur Blvd. NW, is offering la carte specials from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. such as lobster terrine with tomato chutney and chervil sauce priced at $19.95; pan seared halibut with mushroom risotto, asparagus and a mushroom cappuccino sauce, priced at $32; braised short rib in Duvel beer served with kale and braised Belgium endive, priced at $29.; and peche melba Et Voila for $10. The restaurant will also have house-made chocolate truffles all week. A box of 12 is priced at $25.
Le Ferme, 7101 Brookville Road, Chevy Chase, is serving a prix fixe three-course meal from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. for $58 per person. The meal starts with a French 75 cocktail made with Champagne, lemon juice, cognac and simple syrup. Menu choices include pan-seared jumbo sea scallops served over a rock shrimp and sweet corn risotto; oyster stew with leeks, potatoes and apple wood smoked bacon; filet of sole with “Bonne Femme” sauce; “short smoked” and grilled Norwegian salmon served over a spiced vegetable couscous with a Pommery mustard sauce; and roasted New York strip loin with mashed potatoes and a red wine-shallot sauce. Desserts include lemon meringue tart, white chocolate mousse fresh berry parfait, and Grand Marnier chocolate mousse cake.
The Hay-Adams’s Top of the Hay restaurant, 800 16th St. NW, is offering a buffet brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.m for $120 per person and $60 per child 12 years and younger. The meal includes an appetizer buffet; chilled pea soup with mint and lemon; carved black angus beef tenderloin with horseradish and perigourdine sauce; sautéed Maryland crab cakes with roasted tri-color cauliflower; lemon and herb marinated grilled chicken scaloppini; broiled Colorado lamb chops with grilled vegetable medley and lamb cumin served with a curry sauce; and spicy Thai shrimp salad with broccoli florets, enoki mushrooms and chive batonettes with either a glass of Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne, a classic Bloody Mary or a strawberry-orange mimosa. A dessert buffet will feature coconut magic bars; ice strawberry eclairs; lemon crepe with honeyed berries; rhubarb parfait; and chocolate peanut butter pie.
Lupo Verde, 1401 T St. NW, has hree festive Italian specials in addition to the restaurant’s regular a la carte brunch menu from 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Special dishes include lasagna primavera, vegetable lasagna with four cheeses, crispy artichokes, poached eggs and herbs; branzino ai sapori del sud, sea bass with potatoes, olives, capers, raisins and mint; and coppa paradiso with zabaione cream, raspberry, chocolate and almonds amaretti. Specials are priced from $12-$32 each.
Nonna’s Kitchen, 1212 U St. NW, will serve a three-course tasting menu from 5-11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday inspired by some of Chef Will Artley’s mother’s favorite recipes, melding the flavors of his Mexican heritage with classic Italian techniques and preparations. Dishes include a spaghetti taco with Tuscan lamb; smoked crab ceviche with rosemary infused avocado and pickled watermelon; a beef duo of short ribs and New York strip with gnocchi and a fragrant mole; and a foie gras flan. The menu will be priced at $55 with optional wine pairings for $30.
Nopa Kitchen + Bar, 800 F St. NW, 20004, has a four-course prix fixe menu for $45 per person from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Options include spring garlic and leek soup with poached Florida Sunray clams, bacon jam and Szechuan peppercorn; mussels with ‘Nduja, spring onion, fennel and Spanish rose; and salmon carpaccio with nasturtiums, watermelon radish, arugula blossom, kampot pepper and preserved lemon vinaigrette. Entrées include farro and black quinoa risotto with ramp-English pea pesto, asparagus lettuce, sunflower shoots, lemon thyme and sottocenere; frittata with Ivy City hot smoked salmon, toy box tomatoes and citrus mascarpone served with a fennel-arugula salad; and crispy soft-shell crab benedict with Serrano ham, poached egg, espelette and tarragon hollandaise. Dessert selections include Manjari chocolate hazelnut cheesecake with candied kumquat, praline crunch and cinnamon cream; tangerine chiffon cake with citrus-cilantro sauce, tangerine mousse and pecan tuille, and sticky toffee pudding with candied bacon, spiced toffee sauce and pumpkin ice cream.
Oval Room, 800 Connecticut Ave. NW, is showcasing spring flavors with a prix fixe three-course Mother’s Day menu from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 5-10 p.m. priced at $55 per person. Choices include chilled cucumber soup with jumbo lump crab, smoked trout roe and pickled red onion; chicken liver mousse with pickled green strawberries, rhubarb jam and black pepper tuile; burrata with shaved baby artichokes, cucumber and Meyer lemon vinaigrette; jumbo lump crab cakes with grilled white asparagus, sautéed spinach and a lemon emulsion; Maine lobster quiche with mache, English peas, Vidalia onions and blood orange vinaigrette; pan roasted beef tenderloin with purple potato hash and wild ramp vinaigrette; and lemon ricotta agnolotti with porcini crema, carrots, Maitake mushrooms, peas and Gran Cru. Dessert options include frozen local strawberry soufflé with long pepper shortbread and lemon basil blooms; dark chocolate mousse with devil’s food cake and salted caramel ice cream; or carrot cake with pineapple and vanilla caramel served with rum raisin ice cream.
Artist-in-residence Christina Girardi will be at Palette 22, 4053 Campbell Ave., Shirlington, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to create ortraits of mothers with or without their children. The 11”x17” portraits will be created in watercolor and ink on archival paper for $20 each. Frames will also be available to purchase for an additional cost. Each original portrait takes 10-20 minutes and can be taken home immediately. The restaurant will also serve its regular a la carte brunch menu and its new chef selections menu, which include avgolemono soup with orzo, chicken, lemon, egg and dill oil; lemon-marinated lamb chops with thyme, garlic, tzatziki, pita and pomegranate seeds; and galaktoboureko, orange custard, filo pastry and honey. Brunch menu items range $5-$10. All mothers will receive a free mimosa with mango nectar, peach nectar, orange, cranberry or pineapple during brunch. Mothers who dine during dinner service, from 3-11 p.m. will receive a free signature red or white sangria with apples, oranges, limes and lemons.
PassionFish, 11960 Democracy Dr., Reston, will shake up some special cocktails including the Blushing Blossom, a frozen concoction with torched cherry rum, sake, Tuaca liqueur, grenadine and half & half.
Rasika Penn Quarter, 633 D St. NW, is offering a three-course, prix fixe menu priced at $50 per person from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Selections include spinach egg curry with onion, tomatoes and baby spinach; shrimp bhanola, a Maharashtrian shrimp cake with peanut chili chutney; avocado onion pakora with red onion rings, spiced avocado and date tamarind chutney; black cod with fresh dill, honey, cheddar and star anise; lamb kolhapuri with kashmiri chilies, cloves, cinnamon and coriander seeds; and grouper moilee with curry leaves, ginger, green chilies and coconut milk. Entrées will be served with bread and rice. Dessert I a sampler of mango cheesecake, narangi kulfi and gulab jamun.
Rasika West End, 1190 New Hampshire Ave. NW, is serving a three-course, prix fixe menu for at $50 per person from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Menu options include masala omelet sandwich with onion, tomatoes and green chilies; tandoori chicken peri-peri, peri-peri masala with cucumber relish; chole bhature with chickpea, cumin and puffed bread; palak chaat, crispy baby spinach with sweet yogurt, tamarind and date chutney; shrimp lababdar with onion, tomatoes and dry fenugreek; Aai’s chicken curry with almond, coconut milk and garam masala; saag gosht, lamb with spinach, garlic, and green chilies; and Rasika thali with paneer mattar, vegetable tamatar kofta, bhindi kadi and dal makhani. Entrées are served with bread and rice. Dessert includes a sampler with mango cheesecake, narangi kulfi, and gulab jamun.
Sushiko, 5455 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, is celebrating with several specials in addition to its a la carte menu from noon-3 p.m. and 5:30-10 p.m. Specials include hotate midori, seared sea scallop served with dashi cilantro puree, pickled cucumber and micro greens; namafu eggplant yaki, grilled eggplant with wheat gluten served with lemon miso, toasted sesame and micro cilantro; Kumamoto oysters two ways with cucumber granita and pickled apple; and tuna seven ways served nigiri-style with akami, akami zuke, chu toro, otoro, otoro aburi, toro taku and toro tartare with caviar. Specials range from $8-$35 each.
Trummer’s on Main, 7134 Main St., Clifton, Va., is offering a three-course prix fixe menu from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. with choices such as North Carolina shrimp vermicelli with Virginia peanuts, Thai chili and cilantro; a local black angus beef duo with braised short ribs, flank steak, purple potatoes and asparagus; and popcorn ice cream with sablé breton, peanut butter powder and caramel corn. Cost is $68 for adults and $25 for children.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.